I don't own Chuck
Chapter 3: Speeches
London, May 2015
"Alright you lot," Casey's tart voice cut through the low murmur of conversation. "Chuck asked me to be master of ceremonies tonight because he thought if I could manage a bunch of Marines, then I could keep you lot in check!" There were titters in the audience.
"I'm sure he'll mention it himself, but on behalf of the happy couple we'd like to thank you all for coming today to celebrate the marriage of Chuck and Sarah. I've had to put up with these two mooning over each other for nearly eight years now, so I'm glad that Bartowski's finally made an honest woman of her!"
"Here here!" shouted Devon.
"Now I'm sure you're all looking forward to the bar opening, so without further ado, I'd like to introduce Emma, Sarah's mother!"
There was a smattering of applause and Sarah sent her Mom a reassuring grin as she stood up and walked over to the microphone. She knew her Mom was nervous about this, because it was the first thing that she'd mentioned to Sarah after Sarah had asked her about having a formal part in the wedding party. She knew her Mom had been excited to walk her down the aisle. It had meant a lot for their slowly recovering relationship. The speech, not so much! But one came with the other and she knew her Mom could do it.
"Thanks everyone," her mom acknowledged with a slight grimace. "Now I'm gonna keep this short because, just like John here, I'm gonna be heading up to that bar as soon as speeches are over!"
"I think we all are," muttered Matt from Sarah's other side and she shot the PJ a grin. It seemed no-one liked speeches. She knew Chuck had been agonising over his.
"I'm ever so pleased to be welcoming everyone to Chuck and Sarah's wedding on behalf of the bride. It's fair to say that Sarah and I didn't always have the closest relationship, and for many years we were estranged, but since we rediscovered each other we've had a close relationship and I can only say that a lot of that is due to Chuck!"
There was more applause.
"When she was young, Sarah was always a very quiet little girl. I think it was a coping mechanism. There were lots of arguments in our house and Sarah found it easier to keep her head in her books. And that obviously worked out for her. We've seen that with her Harvard degree and successful career in Government Service." Her Mom very carefully did not say which branch of the Government.
"I'm looking forward to Chuck and Sarah's first dance because Sarah's always been an enthusiastic dancer. When she was little, she had a stuffed giraffe called Tom." Oh no, Sarah thought, she wouldn't... Her Mom sent her a shit-eating grin and continued, "She used to dance with him around her bedroom to all sorts of music. Poor Tom fell apart when Sarah was six, and I think that's when she gave up her dreams of a career as a dancer!"
There was laughter and applause as Sarah buried her head in her hands. She could hear Carina and Zondra wolf-whistling. She was never gonna live this down.
"This is all good intelligence," Chuck observed sotto voce, "That'll teach you to tease me about Peaches!"
"But seriously," her Mom continued, "Sarah's been through some tough times in her life. But she's a trooper. She's always kept fighting and she's emerged as the strong, intelligent, amazing woman that you see in front of you today. One I'm so proud to call my daughter." Sarah couldn't control the tears just then. Her Mom and her had had difficult times but they were building a relationship now.
"I know Chuck is to thank for a good part of who Sarah is today. Over the years that they've been together, he's supported her, and I know that she's grown as a person since she met him. I'm delighted that Sarah has found someone who loves her as much as Chuck, and I'd like to thank you Chuck for loving my daughter when I couldn't necessarily do it, and welcome you to our family." Her mom smiled tremulously at both of them. "And now I'd like to propose a toast. To Chuck and Sarah."
"To Chuck and Sarah," the audience echoed, and Sarah and Chuck sprung to their feet to thank her Mom.
Chuck continued on to the microphone. "Thanks Emma, for your speech. It's funny you say how brave Sarah is because I asked if she wanted to make a speech today and she refused!"
There was good-natured laughter as Chuck winked at her as she mock-glared back.
"But seriously," her husband continued, and she didn't think she'd ever get tired of using that word husband. When it came to Chuck, boyfriend had been good, fiancé had been great, but husband was amazing. Sarah Walker had a husband. Or rather, Sarah Bartowski had a husband.
But the most important thing was that Sarah Bartowski was a real person with a real name. The first real name she'd had in over twenty years. That's what Chuck had done for her. He'd reclaimed a real person out of what was left over from ten years with her father and ten years with Graham. He'd offered a road to recovery for her, one she'd seized with both hands after the Intersect mission. She'd started the journey intending it to be in his memory and hadn't expected ever to see Chuck again but, when she had, she'd known she had to take her opportunity, and she had. And now she could barely believe that she had a husband. She had a family and she had a broad and diverse group of friends. And all of that was down to the amazing man who had offered to marry her.
She reigned in her thought as she realised Chuck had continued, reading out some messages from people who couldn't make it today, mostly PJ friends of his. "Both Sarah and I would like to thank all of you for being here today. It means so much to us that you're all sharing in our special day. It's been a long and difficult road for both of us, with a few wrong turnings along the way, and each of you who are here today have helped and supported us in our journeys and we can't thank you enough for that.
"There are a few people that I want to single out though. First up is our wedding planner Adrian. Adrian, from the first time that we met you, we've had complete faith that you understood exactly what we wanted from our wedding. You're responsible for all the arrangements, as well as these amazing flowers, the decorations, the food, and – Casey you can thank him later – the wine!"
There was some good-natured laughing at their partner's expense and then applause as Chuck presented Adrian with an envelope which contained a travel voucher. They'd got to know Adrian quite well over the course of the preparations and discovered that he liked travelling. They'd paid enough for him and his partner to fly first class to Asia.
"Now, in the books I read it says next up that the groom should thank his parents. Unfortunately, they're not here today but there's one person I do need to thank. My mother left when I was young and my father basically checked out at about the same time, before leaving a few years later. My sister was in her teens at the time and since then she's been the only parental figure in my life. Ellie brought me up. She brought us both up. She helped with my homework and cooked dinner and did the cleaning. Later on she put herself through Medical School on a full scholarship. She helped me get a scholarship to Stanford and then picked me up after what happened there, and she has supported me my whole life. Ellie," and Chuck turned to face his sister who sat, silent and transfixed in her seat. "I would not be the man I am without you. You taught me love and empathy and respect for other people. You taught me the rewards of hard work. And you also taught me how to cook. Sorry I was such a lousy pupil at that last one! But thank you Sis." He paused, allowing Sarah to wipe the tears from her eyes and, as she looked around, she saw she wasn't the only one. "Now, what do you get for the person who's more than a parent…more than a sister…more than a best friend?"
He paused again as Sarah dug the wrapped package out of the bag at her feet and stood to join Chuck. "No material thing could ever be big enough to show you what you mean to me, to us," Chuck continued, "but we hope you enjoy wearing this and you think of us both when you do." And with that they both handed the wrapped box to Ellie.
Ellie sprung to her feet and wrapped them both in a big hug. "Oh Chuck," she murmured tearfully. "I love you too. And you…" she added, half turning to Sarah. It was such an emotional moment and the hug seemed to last forever, even if it was just a second. Sarah became conscious that the applause that had broken out was petering out and she started to disengage, just as the other two did.
Chuck smiled emotionally at his sister and then stepped back to the microphone. "Maybe I'll ask my beautiful assistant to stay for a few moments," he said gesturing at Sarah, who gave him a mini glare as the audience laughed.
"Now we move onto Emma, the long-suffering mother of the bride." He grinned at the woman in question, and she returned it. Chuck and her mother had a relationship of mutual respect and had just seemed to click when they met one another. "Emma, I've only got to know you in the last year but I see a lot of Sarah in you. Her intelligence, her empathy. I can only assume her stubbornness and the rest of her bad traits come from her father!" The audience cracked up as Sarah sent a distinctly old-fashioned look at her husband, who grinned back at her unrepentantly.
"Oh yeah! Rinsed!" hollered Carina.
"We also got you something to wear," Chuck continued, "and we hope it reminds you of us." As with Ellie's pendant and earring set, they had chosen this gift together; a beautiful butterfly broach. Her mother had a thing for butterflies. The broach had cost a pretty penny, but it was beautiful. She went to hug her Mom, followed by Chuck.
"I'm so proud of you, baby girl," her mom murmured. "Thank you."
"I love you Mom," she managed to choke out, trying to control her emotions as Chuck swept her mom up in a gentle hug. It was the first time, as an adult, she'd said those words to her mom and it felt good.
"Now we get onto the bridesmaids," Chuck continued. "Carina, you've been Sarah's best friend for years and, frankly, having partied with you a few times I'm surprised she survived that long!" Sarah gasped a laugh, the comment having caught her by surprise, as well as much of the audience. There was a gale of laughter as Chuck continued, "In the interests of equality, I did ask Sarah whether she and her Maid of Honor wanted to make a speech but they both turned me down, so it looks like we dodged one there!"
"You're goin' down Chuckie!" Carina joked, waving her fist at him.
"Not on you though!" Chuck retaliated, off the cuff, leading the whole room to crack up. Luckily the kids had all gone to bed earlier.
"But seriously, thanks for being a great friend to Sarah," Sarah handed her friend another wrapped box and hugged her.
"You did good Walker," the DEA agent told her. "I like him more now he's grown a pair."
Oh, he's got a pair alright, Sarah thought. But luckily Carina would never know.
"Juliette and Zondra, I haven't known you as long as Carina, but I'd also like to thank you for being great friends to Sarah." A lot had to be glossed over since it was a mixed audience. Most of the audience couldn't know about Chuck's professional relationship with Zondra, or with Juliette for that matter. Sarah handed over the presents and hugged her friends as Chuck moved on. "So I'll propose a toast to the bridesmaids." Everyone toasted.
"Now onto the Groom's party," Chuck continued. "Morgan, you've been my friend for my whole life and I know we struggled a bit after I joined the Air Force, but we love having you in our lives and we're looking forward to spending more time with you and Alex going forward." Morgan came forward with tears in his eyes to hug Chuck and then Sarah as she presented him with his gift.
"Devon, I've served with lots of brave men, but I reckon you're the bravest of the lot for taking on my sister!" The audience cracked up and Sarah could just hear Casey mutter "no shit".
"Sorry Ellie," Chuck waved at the aforementioned woman who glared back at him playfully. "But seriously, Devon, you're a really great guy and you've been a great husband for Ellie and a great friend to me. I can't thank you enough for putting up with my post-Stanford fug. For the whole time you were encouraging and positive. Then, when I decided I wanted to be a PJ, you helped with my fitness regime and also helped me get over my fear of blood and needles. You've been the best brother-in-law ever, some might even say Awesome, and Sarah and I love you very much." The crowd "awwed" as a red-faced Devon crossed to Chuck and wrapped him in a hug, then did the same to Sarah as she handed over the little wrapped box.
"Moving on now," and Chuck rubbed his hands together, "Casey. Or John as some of us have the temerity to call you!" There were a few titters. "We worked together at the Buy More and, more recently you've worked with Sarah, and I've got to know you again." Chuck was choosing his words carefully. He'd asked for Sarah's help on some parts of the speech and this was one where they'd really struggled to get their feelings across in the context of the cover. "When we first worked together I thought you were a grumpy old man, who only communicated in grunts." There were guffaws in the audience and Sarah could see Diane Beckman laughing. "But you grew on me," Chuck continued, "And maybe I grew on you, because you seem to talk to me now using real words!" There were more laughs. "But seriously, you've been a great colleague to Sarah and to me, and we're really grateful to you. Thanks, old guy!" Casey smiled tightly and rose to his feet, crossing to Chuck. The two men hugged for a moment, Chuck speaking into the older man's ear, and Sarah knew that Chuck was telling John what he really wanted to say but couldn't in public. When they disengaged they both had tears in their eyes and John turned to her. She wrapped him up in a tight hug and said simply "Thanks John". It encompassed everything she needed to say. She passed over the wrapped present, heavier than the rest, and he went back to his seat.
"And finally," Chuck continued, "we come onto my Best Man, Matt. Now I won't say there weren't other candidates for Matt's role. As you just heard, Morgan's been my friend for years, Devon was a great support during my most difficult time. But I chose Matt. The reason is easy and for those people in this room who've ever been to war, it's obvious. Because somebody who has your back in a warzone is a very special person. Many of our PJ buddies are here today and I've served with them on different tours in Iraq and Afghanistan at one time or another, but Matt's been there for all my tours.
"Matt's been there for me since my first posting as a PJ in Georgia all those years ago. Matt took me under his wing and, seeing that I was a bit lonely, he introduced me to his family, and Livvy and their kids became my surrogate family.
"If Matt's been my professional mentor, it's certainly fair to say that Livvy's been my personal mentor, by turns encouraging me and cajoling me to get on with whatever project I was working on. I know that Livvy was always upset that she could never get me to actively date but perhaps now you understand why I was reticent?" The teary-eyed woman nodded her head that she could.
"I've done three operational tours now and Matt was there each time. I've lost count of the number of times he's put his body between me and danger. There is simply no substitute for that kind of relationship, that kind of trust in another.
"Since we're talking about trust, I'm trusting that by buttering Matt up in advance he won't say anything too nasty about me in his speech. Fingers crossed. Thanks Matt." There was some polite laughter as Chuck went to hug his mentor and Sarah followed.
Chuck spared a long hug for Livvy as well as Sarah hugged her husband. "Thanks for bringing him back alive," she told the PJ before heading onto his wife.
There wasn't a dry eye in the house as she took her now empty bag back towards her seat, but Chuck snagged her hand and led her back over to the microphone.
"I've nearly finished," he said, "But before I do I want to thank my lovely bride. Sarah," he continued, looking directly at her with his beautiful brown eyes, moist with tears. "It's fair to say that the years after I'd met you when you were out of my life were the most difficult years I've ever experienced. To find someone you care about as much as I'd come to care about you and then to lose them through no fault of either of us was so painful. When you came back into my life there was no way that I was ever gonna let you go again. I knew then that I needed to act. Every day we've been together since then has been the best day of my life and they just keep on getting better. I know that there've been some tough ones and I'm sorry that I frightened you so badly when I got injured, but know that you were the one that gave me the strength to survive and to come back from that. You're the one that makes me excited to get out of bed in the morning and," and here he grinned that boyish, enticing grin, "the one that makes me excited to go to bed at night!" There were laughs in the audience. "I'm so honored that you agreed to spend the rest of our lives together and I can't wait for tomorrow and the next day, and the next. I love you." And he swept her up for a tender, beautiful kiss.
As he released her and led her back to her chair there was a standing ovation but she had eyes only for him as he settled her (and her dress) back into her chair, took his chair next to her and held her hand.
"Wow, I'll try and follow that," Matt observed as he strode to the microphone. "Good work, Bartowski, you've ruined the evening for every married man in here!" he growled, prompting good natured laughing and cat-calling.
"I'm very honored that Chuck picked me as his Best Man. Compared to many of the people here tonight I haven't actually known Chuck that long. Just under five years in fact. But, like he said, the relationships you make in a warzone tend to stay with you for the rest of your life. And, just to get our facts straight, Chuck's put his body between me and danger just as many times as I've returned the compliment. Chuck's one of the best PJs I've ever served with, and I've served with some of the best.
"When I first met Chuck it's fair to say I wasn't sure what to make of him. Chuck's not one to show off, so many of you may not know that Chuck was in the top three in his PJ class. Now straight away that marks him out as special. I don't want to show off, but the PJ course is one of the most difficult courses in the special forces universe.
"When I looked at Chuck's training notes there was an annotation by one of his training officers. It mentioned that Chuck's class had one of the highest pass rates of any PJ class. The reason? He's sitting here in front of you.
"Because Chuck is the ultimate team player. Chuck is someone who gives of himself for others. In his training course, Chuck always had time to share his intellectual ability with the other trainees. He helped those who found the written part of the course tough, and he was always there to help and encourage them. In return, they were always there for him, particularly in some of the tough physical parts of the course. Chuck builds communities around him, and he did with those PJs. People who respect him and would do anything for him.
"Those of you who knew Chuck before the Air Force might be surprised by this, but Chuck, though a slow starter, excelled at the physical side of the course. Chuck later confessed to me that in those tough moments when he was struggling, he always thought of Sarah and that gave him strength to go on." There were "awws" in the crowd. As Sarah reached up to clear the tears from her eyes Chuck squeezed her hand.
"Anyway, I digress. When I first met Chuck he seemed too young and naïve to be a PJ. Plus, he was a bit of a klutz!" There were laughs and Sarah struggled to control a smile. She could identify with that. "But as I got to know him, I realised that his klutzy exterior hid his intelligence, strength and empathy. He also has a quick mind and can adapt rapidly to different situations. Chuck always seems to know what to do in an emergency.
"Well, I mean, he always has an idea. Most of them are nuts!" There were sniggers. "But maybe he's crazy like a fox! Halfway into our tour of Iraq, we were called to help a group of SF operatives stuck in a minefield. They were under fire with their medic in a critical condition and a lot of them had serious injuries. I don't know how much you guys know, but a Pedro team consists of two Blackhawk helicopters. They're armed with mini guns but they're still a big target.
"Time was of the essence and a lot of them would have died before relief could reach them overland. Chuck came up with the idea of fast roping down to them. Because there was a risk of the chopper downdraft setting off the mines it had to be from a greater than normal height, which meant there was a bigger risk from snipers since the PJs would be exposed for longer. Chuck volunteered to go down on his own until the attackers were supressed." Matt paused and there was absolute silence in the room as they waited for the rest of the story. "It worked. To cut a long story short, all of the operatives made it out and that was solely because they got medical support so quickly. I'm not gonna name names but one of them is in the audience tonight. Chuck got the Bronze Star for that little escapade and I'm not gonna mince words but everyone who was there that day thinks the medal was the wrong color!
"I just tell you that story so you can get a measure of the man. Chuck's one of the best PJs I know, but at the heart of him he's a great medic. And he's a great medic because he cares about the people round him.
"I'm really glad for him that he and Sarah re-discovered each other. Just seeing them together, they both look so happy and fulfilled. I'm looking forward to hearing about some little Bartowskis in the near future.
"For now, let's drink to the happy couple. To Chuck and Sarah!"
That's it for Chuck and Sarah vs The Wedding. Please review if you get a chance and tell me what you thought.
A/N Chuck got the Bronze Star with V device for his heroics in Iraq (referred to in Chuck vs The Green Feet and Sarah vs The Green Feet). The Bronze Star (with V device) is the US's fourth highest award for heroism in a combat zone. Matt is suggesting he should have got the Silver Star, which is second only to the Air Force Cross and the Medal of Honor.